Berea College offers twenty certification programs: elementary education (primary-grade 5); middle grades (grades 5-9); interdisciplinary early childhood education (birth to kindergarten); secondary education programs in English, mathematics, social studies, biology, chemistry, and physics (grades 8-12); programs in art, French, German, health, instrumental music, integrated music, vocal music, physical education, and Spanish (primary-grade 12); programs in family and consumer sciences and in technology education (grades 5-12).

Since Berea College is a liberal arts college, all students engage in courses and experiences in general studies. These courses are especially important for those who wish to teach because they develop teachers’ general knowledge of the world; enhance their ability to make connections across disciplines; strengthen their capacity to look at questions from multiple perspectives; and develop the habits of critical, creative, and reflective inquiry. Teacher education students are also strongly encouraged to engage in the many opportunities offered at Berea College for international study during the summers, in January Short Terms, and/or for an entire semester. Prospective teachers have recently traveled to such countries as Ghana, Mexico, Greece, Bolivia, Spain, Cambodia, Poland, and Malaysia, Denmark, and Mexico.

In addition to their general education, students seeking teaching certification engage in in-depth study in their major. Though this study, students develop their understandings of the core concepts and principles in the disciplines which they will then translate for their own students. In the area of professional studies, future teachers seek to understand the historical, philosophical, and social foundations of education; the principles of human development and learning; and the nature and practice of pedagogy. Students’ professional preparation also includes a variety of experiences in P-12 schools, including course-related field experiences; a full-course practicum in the junior or senior year; and student teaching followed by an extended practicum in a diverse setting.

Education Portfolios are the primary vehicle for assessing students’ progress in meeting performance expectations in communication, general knowledge, subject matter competence, and professional and pedagogical knowledge, skills, and dispositions. Among other criteria, satisfactory portfolios are required for entry into the Teacher Education Program and for entry into the Professional Terms for student teaching. Upon completion of the Professional Terms, students must submit a satisfactory exit portfolio demonstrating their ability to meet Kentucky's New Teacher Standards.

The teacher education programs at Berea College are accredited by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board and by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). In its most recent filing with the United States Department of Education, as required under Title II of the Higher Education Act of 1998, Berea College reported that 100% of its graduates for 2003-2004 obtained satisfactory scores on the Praxis II examinations required for the teaching license. Students who successfully complete Berea College’s teacher education program are eligible for certification in Kentucky and in other states.